Key Takeaways
- Sly Stone pioneered funk music by blending genres with his groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone.
- Drug addiction led to severe health issues, leaving him largely out of the public eye at age 80.
- His musical influence continues through recent works like his autobiography and Questlove’s documentary.
Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart on March 15, 1943, remains one of the most influential figures in music history.
As the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, he helped shape the sound of funk by blending soul, rock, psychedelia, and gospel into a revolutionary genre.
His innovative approach earned him widespread recognition, with AllMusic crediting him for “perfecting funk” and Crawdaddy! naming him the founder of the “progressive soul” movement.
But as his musical star rose, his personal struggles and health issues became equally well-known.
A Musical Trailblazer
Born in Texas and raised in Vallejo, California, Stone demonstrated exceptional musical talent from a young age.
He masterfully played multiple instruments and performed gospel music with his siblings. By the mid-1960s, he worked as both a producer for Autumn Records and a DJ for San Francisco’s KDIA radio station.
In 1966, he formed Sly and the Family Stone, an integrated, multi-gender band that broke racial barriers and defined a new era of music.
With hits like “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and “Family Affair,” the band became a defining force in the 1960s and 1970s.
Their albums Stand! (1969) and There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971) remain seminal works in funk and soul music.
However, by the mid-1970s, Stone’s drug use and erratic behavior led to the decline of the group, and his solo career never reached the same heights.
Health Struggles And Recovery
In 2019, Stone’s doctors warned him that his long-term crack addiction had severely damaged his lungs and that continuing to smoke could be fatal.
After multiple hospital visits due to breathing difficulties, Stone finally took the warning seriously.
With the support of his daughter, Phunne, and former girlfriend-turned-manager, Arlene Hirschkowitz, he made a concerted effort to get clean.
However, the years of substance abuse had already taken a heavy toll on his health.
At 80 years old, Stone suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which has significantly reduced his lung capacity.
He also experiences trouble with his voice and hearing, making public appearances and interviews rare.
His 2023 autobiography, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), marks a reflective chapter in his life, detailing his rise to fame, struggles, and eventual path to sobriety.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite his health issues, Sly Stone is still alive, though he remains largely out of the public eye.
His influence continues to shape modern music, with artists like Prince, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Questlove citing him as an inspiration.
The recent documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), produced by Questlove, explores Stone’s impact on music and culture.
However, Stone does not appear in the film due to his declining motor functions.
Producer Joseph Patel explained that Stone’s current state made it difficult for him to communicate in full sentences, and including him in the documentary would not have been a respectful portrayal.
While Sly Stone’s physical condition has deteriorated, his musical legacy remains vibrant.
His pioneering work in funk and soul continues to inspire new generations of musicians, and his influence can still be felt in today’s music.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sly Stone grew up in a religious middle-class family as one of five siblings born to K.C. and Alpha Stewart.
- Following their Church of God in Christ teachings, his parents fostered music in their home. Together with his siblings Freddie, Rose, and Loretta, he performed gospel songs in church as part of “the Stewart Four.”
- His family ties to music extended to his cousin Moses Tyson, Jr., who became a gospel organist.
